The Law Around Dogs, Livestock, and Horses Is Changing. Here’s What You Need to Know.

The law around dogs and livestock hasn’t changed for more than seventy years, and to be honest, it has never matched the countryside we live in now. But this winter, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act has finally been updated. It has passed through Parliament and is now waiting for Royal Assent.

This matters to all of us.

People with horses.

People with dogs.

People with neither, who just want to walk safely on footpaths without worrying about loose dogs or frightened animals.

As someone who owns a dog myself, I understand both sides of this. This isn’t about blaming dog-owners, it’s about making sure everyone stays safe.

So here’s the full picture, what the law used to say, what still stands today, and what’s actually changing.

What the old law used to be

The original Act was written in 1953. Different world entirely.

Back then, “livestock” meant sheep, cattle, goats, pigs and poultry. Horses weren’t included. Alpacas and llamas didn’t get a mention. Dog walking wasn’t what it is today.

Footpaths were quieter. Most incidents involved sheep worrying, not horses being chased on roads or smallholdings with mixed animals.

The old law said a dog committed an offence if it chased livestock, attacked them, or was loose in a field of sheep. That was pretty much it.

It also only applied to fields and agricultural land. If a dog chased your horse on a lane or bridleway, you were in a grey area.

The maximum fine was £1,000. Police powers were limited. If no-one saw the incident, the case often went nowhere.

What still stands now

Dog walks should feel relaxing, not tense, and clearer rules can actually make it safer for everyone.

Some things haven’t changed, and it’s worth being clear.

Dogs still have to be under control around animals.

Livestock do not have to be bitten for an offence to happen. Chasing alone is enough.

Landowners can still report incidents.

Footpaths stay open to the public.

The basics remain the same, but everything around them has been strengthened.

Even the best-trained dogs can have a moment where instinct takes over

What has now changed

Here’s where the amendment actually updates the law so it matches the countryside we live in today.

First, the fines. The £1,000 cap has been removed. Courts can now issue unlimited fines that take into account the vet bills, the damage, and the impact on owners.

Second, the list of animals has expanded. Alpacas and llamas are now formally included. Horses still aren’t listed as “livestock” in the wording, but the changes to where the law applies mean horses finally get real protection in practice.

And that leads to the biggest change. The law now applies on roads, lanes, footpaths, bridleways, and anywhere animals are being moved. Not just in fields.

This is huge for horse-owners. If a dog rushes a horse on a lane now, it sits firmly within the scope of the amended Act. The days of “nothing can be done because it wasn’t in a field” are over.

Police powers have also improved. They can detain dogs during investigations, gather DNA and saliva, and, with a warrant, enter premises to locate a dog involved in an incident. This means you don’t need a perfect witness statement for a case to be taken seriously.

The amendment also recognises that harm isn’t just about teeth. Panic, bolting, miscarriages, exhaustion, and injuries from running blindly, these are now properly acknowledged as part of livestock worrying.

And finally, the definition of “proper control” has been made clearer.

A dog is only under control if the handler can stop it getting anywhere near livestock or horses in the first place. Recall after the fact doesn’t count. “He’s friendly” doesn’t count. The law now reflects real life, not wishful thinking.

What this means for the community

For dog-owners, this isn’t an attack. It’s clarity. A short lead and paying attention is usually all that’s needed.

For horse-owners, including us at Wild Mane, the law finally recognises the risks we’ve been talking about for years. A dog doesn’t need to bite a horse to cause danger, panic alone can injure a horse or a child beside them. We’ve lived this. You have too.

For people who don’t own animals, it simply means the countryside becomes a little safer, a little clearer, and a lot less stressful for all of us.

I’ve had my own dog chased before, and it’s frightening. I’ve also seen horses panic when a loose dog gets too close. Both situations stay with you. I have been riding and had a horse bolt from a dog chase, I've seen my child be with a pony and a dog chase them. All of which shouldn't have happened.

Why it matters here

Our ponies live beside footpaths. They work with children and teens who rely on them being steady and calm. A loose dog, even a “friendly” one, can undo a lot of emotional safety in a moment.

This law won’t fix everything, but it finally recognises what actually happens out here. It gives police the tools to act. It gives riders and landowners more protection. And it sets a clearer standard for everyone who walks their dog through shared spaces.

The countryside is safest when we understand each other.

This amendment gets us a little closer to that.